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Charlton Athletic star Jodie Hutton personifies her working class background. Determination by the bucket loads, humble and no hurdle being able to stop her achieving her goals.
The two-time WSL2 winner is flying high, top of the league with Charlton, and in the quarter-final of the FA Cup. The former England youth international has also previously represented Aston Villa, Bristol City and Sheffield United.
Hutton and Charlton currently sit comfortably at the top of the WSL2 table, nine points ahead of closest rivals Birmingham City. She joined the South East London club in 2024 and has since found excellent form, scoring more goals for Charlton than any other team in her career — 13 to date as a defender no less.
The Midlands-born defender took some time away from training to speak exclusively to Her Football Hub about her career goals, Charlton manager Karen Hills and her childhood.
Proving herself wrong
Hutton was always destined to make it as a professional footballer. That being said, as a ‘realist’ even after representing England at youth level, she knew not to take anything for granted and to keep working hard.
“People kept telling me, ‘you’ll make it far, you’ll go all the way’, but you have to keep yourself grounded,” Hutton said. “I just took it all with a pinch of salt and kept trying to grow as a player and develop in my own space.”
The Charlton star represented England at both U18 and U19 level. It wasn’t until playing regularly for Aston Villa in the WSL2 and eventually the WSL that she began to believe what her coaches had been telling her for years.
Football is a religion for working class families
The midlands of England is home to 71 different football clubs. This is a pattern that follows all working class cities, where the people look to collective sport as a point of celebration and community. Hutton shares this sentiment.
“My family is very football oriented. All my cousins and my sisters played football. We’re a working class family, so yeah, my family really back me. They come to my games and watch me every week, it’s nice to have that.
“If it wasn’t for my two older sisters though, I never would’ve played football I think. They both started playing football first and I just wanted to play with them all the time, so it’s all down to them.”
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Karen Hills is the best manager I’ve played for
There is no doubt about Charlton Athletic’s successes this season. Top of the league, nine points ahead of their closest rivals, FA Cup quarter-finalists and a squad whose team sheet would look at home in the WSL.
That being said, it’s still miles away from the stellar history Charlton have in women’s football. There was a time when they were one of the biggest clubs in the country — winning FA Cups and pushing for national titles against the likes of Arsenal and Doncaster.
In 2004/05, Charlton won the FA Cup against Everton and finished second in the top division, behind only Arsenal. Current Charlton manager Karen Hills was a key part of that squad and it’s clear the passion she has for the club even from the outside looking in.
“She knows when a player needs picking up, or who needs an arm around them and when someone needs shouting at,” Hutton shared. “I think she’s the best manager I’ve ever played for. I think from the outside, people think she looks very strict, maybe even standoffish, but she’s not like that. She is so, so passionate.
“Charlton have been so close to promotion now for several years, so now we’re working hard to maintain our lead. Karen keeps telling us not to look at social media, just focus on each game.
“Maybe it’s cliché to say but we all feel like a family here, and that’s Karen who has built that environment. We’re such a tight-knit group, it’ll be special if we can achieve this [winning the league] together as a group.”
Finding form at Charlton
As a defender, goals are rarely something expected of a player but like her teenage idol Lucy Bronze, it’s a huge aspect of Hutton’s’ play.
Contributing a stellar 13 league goals in just over 40 games at Charlton, Hutton has already surpassed her career total of 12 league goals at all her previous clubs combined.
“I honestly think it’s down to the current system that we play. I think it suits me and my ability much more than any other from the past. I’m confident too at the moment and that is a huge thing to feel,” Hutton clarified.
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Huge challenges ahead
With Charlton looking likely to lift the WSL2 trophy, it could very well be a season to remember for both Hutton, Hills and Charlton fans alike.
After their latest match against Portsmouth, the Addicks remain top of the table with an impressive nine-point lead over Birmingham City.
